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A sweeping executive order by US President Donald Trump has cut critical funding for refugee aid in Kenya, triggering an immediate crisis in health services across major camps.
The order, signed on January 20 and titled “Reevaluating and realigning United States foreign aid,” halted funding through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), a key partner in Kenya’s refugee camps.
The decision has led to the closure of health facilities, layoffs and rising concerns over the well-being of displaced persons.
Commissioner for Refugee Affairs John Burugu said the impact has been swift, with 19 health facilities in Dadaab and Kakuma affected and no indication that the Kenyan government will intervene.
“USAID has set up and runs a level 4 hospital in Kakuma through the International Refugee Committee (IRC), the implementing agency. IRC has laid off 100 staffers with the Trump announcement,” said Burugu during an interview on Spice FM.
“This means that mothers will not get attention, including pre and post-natal, even other refugees and members of the host communities who benefited from the facility will be affected,” he added.
Kenya hosts 837,907 registered refugees and asylum seekers, with 475,000 in Dadaab, 302,000 in Kakuma, and 110,000 in urban areas such as Nairobi.
Most are from Somalia and South Sudan, accounting for 56 per cent and 196,000 people, respectively.
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Burugu warned that instability in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo could worsen the crisis, increasing the number of refugees.
“There is a change in the humanitarian landscape globally,” noted Burugu.
“In 2023, the World Food Programme (WFP) provided 60 per cent of the minimum food basket. This came down to 45 per cent in 2024. Currently, we are at 40 per cent.”
Tensions over aid cuts have escalated. On March 3, four people suffered gunshot wounds during a confrontation with police in Kakuma after refugees protested reduced food rations.
WFP has blamed the shortages on declining contributions from member countries and the recent US aid cuts.
Beyond health and food security, the crisis is raising national security concerns.
Burugu stressed the need for socio-economic integration of refugees to prevent crime, but host communities have resisted, fearing competition for limited resources.
President William Ruto’s recent decision to remove vetting for ID issuance in border counties to ease citizenship recognition for some refugees has also sparked backlash over security concerns.
A new initiative, Shirika, has been introduced to integrate refugees into local communities and reduce dependence on foreign aid, but its success remains uncertain amid growing resistance.
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